Lecture
Linus Neumann
AM24
I’m not going to tell you how to negotiate with blackmailers
The recipe for success includes a broad perspective on other planning cultures, a deep dive into insider circles, and willingness to explore other industries. Traditionally, the opening keynote was reserved for philosophers, but this year, IT specialist Linus Neumann took the stage. A spokesperson for the Chaos Computer Club, Neumann has made a name for himself as a professional hacker dedicated to improving data security for governments and corporations. In one case, he negotiated a ransom of up to 20 million euros with blackmailers who had locked a company out of its own data. Delivered with Berlin-style wit, his entertaining yet unsettling hacker stories also held the full attention of the representatives from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, which has supported the conference for years as part of the Munich Creative Business Week (mcbw).
“There’s this classic saying: “We’ve never done that because it doesn’t work. And then somebody came along who didn’t know that, did it and it worked.”
Linus Neumann, AM 24
About:
Linus Neumann is a hacker, psychologist, and voluntary spokesperson for the Chaos Computer Club. He regularly identifies security vulnerabilities within software and systems and critically examines digitalization: “We enjoy all the drawbacks of digitalization without fully reaping its benefits.” He wants to change that.
As an IT security consultant, he is enlisted by international companies and critical infrastructure operators to hack their systems and eliminate security vulnerabilities. His work often garners public attention, such as when he and colleagues exposed vulnerabilities in De-Mail, mobile networks, and voting software used to evaluate federal election results. Neumann has also analysed international spyware.
In his role as a voluntary spokesperson for the Chaos Computer Club (CCC), Neumann frequently offers public commentary on current issues related to net politics, IT security, and digitalization. He advocates for net neutrality, data protection, transparency, and civil rights. Since 2011, he has co-hosted the popular podcast “Logbuch:Netzpolitik” with Tim Pritlove. Neumann’s extensive expertise makes him a sought-after guest on various political television programmes.